Economics

A major review on artificial intelligence's role in protecting the environment and natural resources has been corrected, though the core findings remain intact. For businesses and policymakers developing AI systems for climate and sustainability goals, the correction underscores the importance of peer review in ensuring research credibility.EN

A new analysis proposes treating postcolonialism as a human condition while positioning decolonialism as a conscious political choice—a framework designed to unite competing academic schools and address overlooked perspectives from post-Soviet societies. For policymakers and institutions navigating global inequality debates, the approach offers practical tools for understanding knowledge hierarchies that shape international business and development strategies.EN

Established firms pursuing digital expansion need radically different management approaches depending on their strategy, a new study reveals. Related ventures thrive under tight control, while unrelated ones need looser reins and grassroots innovation—yet most companies apply one-size-fits-all methods, explaining why digital diversification often stumbles.EN

A review of 318 qualitative studies shows that how thoroughly researchers document their methods has no effect on how widely those studies are read or cited. The finding challenges the assumption that methodological rigor—at least as measured by reporting detail—drives research impact in service management.EN

A new study of 20 European recycling firms identifies eleven specific capabilities currently missing from textile-to-textile supply chains—from collection logistics to sorting technology. These bottlenecks are blocking the industry from scaling up recycling operations and meeting growing demand for sustainable fabrics, creating both a business risk and opportunity for operators who can fill the gaps.EN

A new analysis shows startups are better positioned than established companies to adopt circular business models—which optimize resource use and reduce waste—because they lack legacy systems to protect. Supporting startups through universities, incubators, and venture funds could accelerate the shift toward circular economy practices at scale.EN

A Swedish study of colorectal cancer patients reveals that standardized care pathways focus heavily on medical procedures while neglecting emotional support and patient input. The finding has implications for healthcare systems seeking to improve outcomes and reduce costs through better care coordination.EN

Swedish researchers have developed a practical framework for using oral history interviews to document how industries and consumer behavior change over time. The methodology—tested through a study of cinema attendance—offers a replicable model for businesses and policymakers tracking long-term shifts in consumer habits and industry decline.EN

A simulation study shows that startups whose founding teams become less diverse over time suffer greater long-term performance hits than teams that maintain diversity throughout. The findings challenge conventional wisdom and suggest diversity strategy matters as much as diversity itself—particularly when founders respond to competitors' success by reshaping their teams.EN

A Swedish study reveals that people trying to reduce consumption hit real social friction, but reframing the shift as an act of care—rather than deprivation—helps them stick with it. For companies and policymakers betting on voluntary consumption cuts, understanding this identity challenge is crucial to scaling sustainable behavior.EN

Researchers discovered that Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand have minimal financial links to each other—a vulnerability during crises but an opportunity for investors seeking diversification. The U.S. bond market dominates spillovers to the region, while weak intra-ASEAN connections suggest room to build stronger regional financial integration.EN

Swedish manufacturers that import from low-wage countries see no productivity boost compared to those avoiding imports entirely, challenging conventional trade theory. The finding upends assumptions about supply chain strategy and suggests firm size—not sourcing decisions—drives competitiveness in global markets.EN

A new analysis of Swedish self-help finance books reveals how gender equality messaging is being weaponized to sell investment products, obscuring power imbalances and creating false promises of financial freedom. The finding matters to business leaders and policymakers navigating how corporate feminism shapes consumer behavior and economic expectations.EN

Researchers found that vested interests—not broken procedures—are the real obstacle to reforming the UN's climate agreement. The finding suggests policymakers have been targeting the wrong problem for decades, addressing procedural delays instead of the entrenched actors blocking climate action.EN

A new paper proposes that obsolete media systems offer lessons for building resilient digital infrastructure independent of corporate cloud providers. The analysis suggests that decentralized, physical storage models could address growing concerns about data control, sustainability, and technological fragility in an era of cloud dependency.EN

A systematic review of 129 research papers reveals that politicians serving as board members in public companies must master three distinct roles—watchdog, mentor, and connector—that differ from traditional political duties. The finding matters because governments increasingly use boards to govern state-owned enterprises, yet most research has focused narrowly on financial metrics rather than how politicians actually navigate this dual identity.EN

A new study of Sweden's deposit-refund system reveals that financial incentives designed to boost recycling often fail because consumers apply their own accounting logic instead of following official rules. For policymakers and retailers, this suggests that behavioral incentives alone won't drive circular economy adoption—and that understanding how people actually manage money is crucial to designing effective waste programs.EN

The European Union's climate rulebook largely ignores emerging carbon removal technologies that could help meet emissions targets, a new analysis finds. Researchers say integrating techniques like direct air capture and enhanced weathering into EU law is now essential—especially since global emissions cuts continue to fall short of targets.EN

Swedish researchers have released a practical toolkit for managing distributed teams in the digital age, drawing on multi-year studies of real remote work challenges. The guide addresses a growing problem: as companies embrace hybrid and remote work, many managers lack concrete strategies to maintain team cohesion and effectiveness across distance.EN

Researchers have developed a more precise way to predict how stocks and bonds behave together, separating short-term market swings from long-term economic trends. The breakthrough improves portfolio decisions and risk forecasting for investors managing billions in assets.EN

A new scoping review identifies the gaps between how organizations claim to be sustainable and what actually works. The findings matter because companies investing in sustainability initiatives need clear guidance on which strategies deliver real results—not just positive PR.EN

A new study of Turkish firms reveals that state support and national policies play a surprisingly minor role in helping emerging-economy companies build innovation capabilities—contrary to the East Asian success stories. Instead, competition, learning strategies, and which business group owns the firm matter far more, suggesting policymakers may be wasting resources on broad industrial support while missing the real drivers of competitiveness.EN

A new study finds Swedish export agencies lack a common definition of 'sustainable export' and offer fragmented support services. As global buyers increasingly demand green credentials, this inconsistency risks leaving Swedish companies unprepared to compete on sustainability—a growing market advantage.EN

A study of European patent filings reveals that government incentives—feed-in tariffs, R&D grants, and consumer subsidies—are far more effective at spurring solar technology breakthroughs than price signals alone. The finding suggests policymakers have a proven tool to accelerate the clean energy transition, though it comes at public cost.EN

Manufacturing SMEs pursuing digital services need to overhaul three areas simultaneously: technology investments, workforce skills, and partnerships with service providers. A new study identifies a roadmap for navigating this transition—and warns that misalignment in any one area will undermine value creation and competitive advantage.EN